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What
Are Heat Emergencies?

Heat emergencies are health crises caused by exposure to hot
weather and sun. Heat emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat
exhaustion, and heatstroke. All three stages of heat emergency are serious.

If you live in hot climates or play sports in the summertime, you
should know how to spot the symptoms of heat emergency. Getting treatment in
the early stages of this condition can prevent heat stroke. Heat stroke can be
fatal or cause lifelong complications.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if heat illness is causing
vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness.

What
Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heat Emergency?

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are the first stage of heat emergency. They usually
happen when you’ve been physically active in the heat, but they can also occur if
you haven’t been active.

Heat cramps are especially likely in the elderly or small
children, overweight people, and people who have been drinking alcohol. Muscle pain
and tightness are symptoms of heat cramps.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

muscle cramps

dizziness

mild confusion

fast heart rate or breathing

headache

irritability

extreme thirst

nausea or vomiting

pale skin

heavy sweating

fainting

Heatstroke

With heatstroke, all the symptoms of heat exhaustion may be
present, plus:

body temperature over 104°F

irrational behavior or hallucinations

confusion

rapid, shallow breathing

rapid, weak pulse

seizures

loss of consciousness

dry skin

Sweating may be present in heatstroke. A person who is
experiencing heatstroke might have very dry skin from dehydration.

Why
Do Heat Emergencies Happen?

Heat emergencies usually occur when someone has exercised too
much in hot weather. Being confined or trapped in a place that heats up, such
as a car, is also a cause of heat emergencies.

Heat emergencies are more common in:

people who are overweight

people who have been drinking alcohol

older adults

children

These risk factors are due to difficulty regulating the internal
body temperature.

Older Adults and Heat Emergencies

During a period of hot weather, older adults who live alone are
at particular risk for heat emergencies.

A study of
739 heat-related deaths in Chicago in 1995 found that older adults who lived
alone but made daily connections with their friends and families were much more
likely to avoid a fatal heat emergency.

If your area is experiencing high temperatures, make sure to regularly
check on older adults and offer to help them escape the heat if you can.

Children and Heat Emergencies

Children are especially vulnerable to heat emergencies. If they’re
playing in hot weather, they might be having so much fun, they don’t recognize
the warning signs. Check on children frequently and make sure they have plenty of
water.

Children can also die from heat-related illnesses when they’re
left in cars or other vehicles, such as school buses. Never leave a child alone
in a car — even if you think it’s not hot enough for them to be harmed. Always
check a bus or carpool to make sure no one is left behind.

How
Are Heat Emergencies Treated?

You can help yourself or others experiencing a heat emergency — especially
the first two stages, cramping and exhaustion. Remember these three important
things:

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if the heat
emergency is causing vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness.

Don’t give the person anything to drink if they’re
vomiting or unconscious.

Never offer a drink containing alcohol or
caffeine to someone experiencing a heat emergency.

Heat Cramps

If you or someone you know is experiencing heat cramps, you
should:

Move to a cooler area, out of direct sunlight.

Gently massage the cramping muscle.

Stretch the muscle gently.

Drink cool water or sports drinks every 15
minutes.

Heat Exhaustion

To treat heat exhaustion, you should:

Move to a cooler area, out of direct sunlight.

Loosen clothing.

Apply cool, wet towels to your face, neck,
chest, and limbs.

Have someone fan your skin.

Drink cool water or sports drinks every 15
minutes.

Don’t drink too quickly.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 or go to an
emergency room immediately. In the meantime:

Move the person to a cooler area, out of direct
sunlight.

Loosen clothing.

Remove any sweaty clothing.

Apply cool, wet towels to the face, neck, chest,
and limbs.

Apply ice, if you have it, to the underarms,
wrists, and groin.

Fan the person’s skin.

Offer cool water or sports drinks every 15
minutes if the person is conscious.

Potential
Complications of Heat Emergencies

Most people recover from any stage of heat emergency in a few
days. However, vital organs like your brain may begin to swell during heat
stoke. This can lead to permanent damage.

How
Can Heat Emergencies Be Prevented?

The best way to avoid a heat emergency is to stay in the shade or
in a ventilated, air-conditioned area during the hottest parts of the day.

If you have to be outside during those times, take precautions.
For example:

Rest as often as possible.

Wear light-colored, loose clothing.

Drink water frequently.

Avoid alcohol.

Help prevent a heat emergency in others by checking frequently on
older adults and children.